This free seminar will provide an insight into the 'lean' approach alongside practical examples that have improved services and delivered much-needed efficiency savings. The focus of the seminar is on successful implementation, with two authorities explaining how ‘lean' has worked for them:

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has been transforming the way it delivers services through its change programme, Shaping Solihull. The programme began 2 years ago and the changes to service delivery have been implemented by applying the ‘lean' methodology. The council has a business change team which supports each business area to review their processes and redesign services around their customers. The focus of the ‘lean' approach is to create cultural change and release benefits back into the
business.

The ‘lean' approach is currently being expanded to increase the number of reviews and drive an enhanced cultural shift by living the ‘lean' approach and driving continuous improvement. The programme has an overall savings target of £2million in 2011/12.

To date the programme has saved £600k, and reviewed services include adaptations, Human Resources, Finance, creating a single point of contact for the care trust, bereavement services, anti-social behaviour and traffic regulation orders.

Melton Borough Council will discuss the effects of applying ‘lean' thinking to new benefit claims. In particular, attention will be given to:
• How they dealt with a seemingly intractable problem
• How they have managed to halve the time taken to process an individual claim
• Where they are now - not perfect yet, but knowing what perfection looks like!


Presentations from the day:

Jane Lang - Melton BC - applying lean to benefits - 9th March 11

Phil Mayhew - Solihull MBC - lean transformation - 9th March 11